Hudson River Housing, Inc.

Hudson River Housing, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 30, 2009
Contact:
Elizabeth Celaya
Community Relations Manager
(845) 454-5176
ecelaya@hudsonriverhousing.org
Hudson River Housing Recognizes ational Homelessness Awareness Month with Several Events
Poughkeepsie, NY ~ November is National Homelessness Awareness Month, and Hudson River Housing is
holding several events throughout the month that offer community members the chance to get involved and
help be part of the solution to this growing problem.
As the depressed economy puts a strain on households, more and more people are finding themselves
facing possible homelessness. According to a survey published by the National Coalition for the Homeless
in June 2009, 79% of state and local homeless coalitions are seeing a rise in the homeless population in the
wake of the foreclosure crisis, up from 61% in early 2008. About half estimated that more than 10% of
their clients were homeless because of foreclosure. Preliminary data from Hudson River Housing indicates
that about 14% of clients new to the agency since the beginning of September state the economic downturn
as a key reason they are seeking the agency’s services.
Here are the ways Hudson River Housing is helping to raise awareness of this important issue this month:
ovember 1st & 2nd: Look for the Mid-Hudson Bridge to be lit with green lights, the official color of the
National Runaway Switchboard. November is also National Runaway Prevention Awareness Month.
Hudson River Housing provides shelter, case management, crisis counseling, and street outreach to over
200 homeless and at-risk youth every year.
ovember 1st-30th: Look for porch lights across Poughkeepsie to glow green as residents change to green
light bulbs to help raise awareness and show support for runaway youth. Beginning the last week of
October, Hudson River Housing’s River Haven staff and Youth Advisory Board members will be handing
out green light bulbs to those interested. We'll be targeting Conklin Street and Grand Avenue in
Poughkeepsie, but anyone can participate. You can obtain your own green light bulb by contacting our
River Haven programs at (845) 454-2300, or they can be purchased at most larger hardware stores.
ovember 13th: River Haven staff and volunteers will be giving out information about our services at a
special teens-only night at Intrigue Nightclub in Poughkeepsie
ow thru ovember 5th: Hudson River Housing is participating in a coat drive with One Warm Coat and
Old Navy stores. Between now and November 5th, you may make a donation of a gently-used coat at Old
Navy in Poughkeepsie or Newburgh and receive 10% off your purchase! All the coats donated at these two
stores will be given to Hudson River Housing to be distributed to those in need during National Hunger and
Homelessness Awareness Week, which is November 15th – 21st.
ow thru ovember 20th: Make a donation to our Thanksgiving Food Drive. Hudson River Housing is
putting together food baskets to be delivered to families in our Permanent Housing programs in time for the
Thanksgiving holiday. Donations can be dropped off at our Permanent Housing program offices, located at
104 Little Market Street in Poughkeepsie.
For more information on any of these activities, please visit our website at www.hudsonriverhousing.org or
contact (845) 454-5176.
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Hudson River Housing (HRH) develops and manages affordable housing in the community. HRH was created in
1982 to address the emerging homeless problem in Dutchess County, and is now a large, multi-service provider of
housing and other services to a wide range of underserved populations. The expertise of Hudson River Housing is
increasingly relied upon to inform local planning related to housing, community development and homelessness.
Since its formation, Hudson River Housing has developed 39 affordable homeownership opportunities, over 600
emergency, transitional and permanent housing units, and 9 commercial spaces. For more information, please call
(845) 454-5176 or visit www.hudsonriverhousing.org.
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